The history of Russian watches dates back to the early 20th century, with domestic watch production gaining momentum after the Russian Revolution. In 1930, the Soviet Union established the First Moscow Watch Factory, producing military and civilian timepieces inspired by American and European designs. Brands like Pobeda, Raketa, and Poljot emerged, with Poljot becoming famous for supplying watches to Soviet cosmonauts, including the first watch in space worn by Yuri Gagarin in 1961. The Cold War era saw the rise of rugged, reliable tool watches such as the Vostok Amphibia, designed for the Soviet Navy.
Despite challenges after the fall of the USSR, Russian watch brands continue to thrive, blending Soviet-era durability with modern innovation, making them highly regarded among collectors worldwide.